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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

formula topup before bed

7 replies

lisayb · 01/09/2006 17:26

I've just started trying a top up of formula just before putting my 8 week old down at 9.30pm (usual bedtime) just to try and get her to go longer than 1 and a half hours at night as I'm knackered and am worried that my milk production is suffereing - pretty rubbish from 6pm on. I don't want to mess up my milk production though - should I try to express at this time so I don't lose milk around then? (just in case I stop doing it for any reason). I try to rest as much but get bored and need to get out of the house each day - the HV suggestion was basically not to do anything so as to improve my milk - but this will drive me mad. Any thoughts? I don't want to have to give up BF as I really enjoy it

OP posts:
tiktok · 01/09/2006 17:44

Your HV is being very unhelpful, lisa; resting and not doing anything will not make a scrap of difference to your milk's quality which will be perfect, whatever your lifestyle....anyone who knows about bf knows this.

There are many possible reasons and possible suggestionsfor what's happening with your baby, and ways to help this stage....poor quality of milk is just about the least likely reason for a baby's waking.

Any amount of formula affects breastfeeding - sorry! Of course sometimes it's worth it for other reasons, but if you leave longer gaps between feeds, then yes, it will have an impact on your supply. For some women, this won't matter - they have an abundant supply and they find one long gap makes no real difference. For others, it makes a tangible difference.

Without knowing more detail it is hard to help - but have you talked to anyone (apart from the HV) who might help?

Original poster
lisayb · 01/09/2006 17:57

I spoke to my GP at the 8 week check and it was him that recommended it from personal experience. I have a healthy diet and am generally well but obviously very tired. I wondered if we'd just got into a routine of frequent small feeds and therfore I don't tend to "fill-up" as much. I try to get her to go longer between feeds and try to get her to feed for more than her usual 10 minutes but this is quite hard. My milk supply is fine in the mornings. Funnily enough it has actually been bette overnight since starting the formula for the last 5 nights - I've actually felt fuller and she's fed for a little bit longer. I suppose ultimately I feel guilty for using any formula. By the way she's putting on weight well (on the 91st centile) so it's purely from my point of view that we're trying it

OP posts:
tiktok · 01/09/2006 23:38

Good that things feel better for you, lisa; however while longer gaps between feeds will certainly make you feel 'fuller' in the short term in the longer term they reduce your milk supply...that's the physiology of it.

Yes, a baby who has longer gaps between feeds will probably feed for longer when she does come to the breast, but long gaps between feeds ultimately affects the milk supply, as I said....and I am still not clear why with a baby who is thriving so well you feel your supply is poor in the evenings. It's normal for babies to feel frequently in the evenings especially and for the breasts to feel less full....it doesn't mean there is not enough milk.

If the formula you are offering seems to improve the overall 'balance' in your life and your sleep, then of course that's a powerful plus point - but I don't think (from what you say) that your baby or your milk supply actually 'need' it

mears · 01/09/2006 23:44

lisayb - I would agree with tiktok. What you are experiencing is pretty normal though knackering. Out of interest, do you manage to get a sleep in the afternoon at all? I find that new mums often forget the fact that their nights are disturbed and carry on as normal during the day. I alwayd tried to get an hour or two's kip in the afternoon if i could. Makes night waking easier to cope with. Plus I always took babes into bed and slept as they fed. What do you do at night?

Original poster
lisayb · 02/09/2006 11:08

you're right - i don't often rest during the day. We've actually decided ti give the formula a miss for the next few nights to see if it has actually made a difference or whether it's wishful thinking. I've still been expressing so hope it should be ok to change back. I do feed in bed at night, but only sitting up as my husband is too worried to have her lying in bed with us in case he squashes her. I do occasionally nod off sitting up! Also she's been constipated v. badly the last few days and we've just had the mother of all nappies after 4 days - luckily my husbnd had just returned with her from the supermarket as otherwise he'd have had to go in the bath as well (she was in the sling)..... It was absolutely disgusting. Another reason for giving up the formula maybe. Thanks for the advice - I agree she doesn't need it.

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 02/09/2006 11:11

Lisa...DP and me used to sleep top n tail in the bed because he was worried about the same thing.

Either that or you change ends depending on what side you are feeding so that baby is always on the outside, and not inbetween.

mears · 02/09/2006 11:20

My DH was initially worried about baby in bed with us but he soon got used to it . He liked the extra sleep as well . Definitely try and get a snooze in the afernoon or early evening. Makes all the difference. I got very good at 'powernapping'

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